An examination of the two fundamental divisions of ethical theory: normative ethics and metaethics. Normative ethics is the study of what we ought to do, desire, feel, or be, either in particular cases or in general. Normative ethical questions include: Which acts are morally right/wrong and why? What kinds of persons should we be and why? Metaethics is the study of the nature and status of normative ethics. Metaethical questions include: Do objective moral truths exist? If so, what is their origin and how can we come to know them? Are there reasons beyond self-interest for being moral?

Prerequisites: PHL 101 or PHL 130 and at least one 200-level PHL course